observe.visualise.reflect

The name that means praiseworthy
On whom books of seerah we study
Who can dare try to make it dirty?

The man who loved me without any doubt
But do I love him back,that I have to find out

The non muslims go around ridiculing our beloved
That makes the muslims full of rage and hatred

Then they fearlessly justify killing in his name
If that is their Islam,then I’m put to shame

More than that what scares me the most
Is the thought of where I stand,on what post

Amongst those that are muslims with their own invented islam
Or those that love for His sake and do no harm

Muhammad SAW had an exalted character
Only showed kindness and no foul word did he mutter

Amidst all the trying times he persevered
For the oppressed and orphans he cared

Had no care for wealth and led a simple living
What are my concerns here?Running after the next big thing?

I proudly proclaim my love for you
In my life,are the sunnah prayers paid attention to?

Even the tree trunk shed tears for this man
Do I long for his company at the Haudh e Kauthar?
I seek refuge to be of those on whom there’ll be a ban

When people meet me do I display a smile?
For the sick and needy,do I walk that extra mile?

He saved his dua for us on that Day,
When there’ll be chaos and confusion and no refuge at bay

He suffered just to save us from the fire
Offering us our rewards in Jannah
Am I an eager buyer?

I know Islam will flourish without my effort
My least bothered attitude will only make my soul hurt
But is that what is expected of me?
Before I get buried under the dirt

To be granted the Abode of peace and bliss
I need to impart the message of my prophet
Otherwise the ticket to Jannah I’ll miss

What he preached was perfect,it’s me that has every little fault
My outer appearance may be deceiving
My responsibilties…it’s like they’re locked up in a vault
Before I go advising others to improve
I have to look into my heart and halt

I make dua that I realize what I have to do,
I shall only reap according to what I sow
This ummah is the best ummah,only if it proves itself too
One slip off the straight path can make us lowest of the low

The man who loved me without any doubt
But do I love him back,that’s what this piece is about

Failed. Abandoned. Backstabbed. Insulted. Used. Heartbroken. Misunderstood. Discouraged. Hurt.
What a wonderful year this had been.

She walked down the market streets in the middle of december and thought to herself whilst rubbing her cold numb fingers.

Why’d it have to be so cold?

She came across a corn vendor and stopped to take out a Rs 20 change. Maybe these would warm her up.

Lost in her thoughts she didn’t notice a child beggar tugging at her stole. She looked the other way waiting for him to go away. Her order had been prepared. She handed over the money and hurriedly took her packet so she could head back to her car. But the kid didn’t let go of her and kept following her. Such a nuisance. She took out a Rs 10 note from her pocket and gave it to him.

Finally she reached her parking spot and unlocked her car. She sat inside,turned on the heater and enjoyed her winter treat.
After finishing it, she unrolled her window to throw the wrapper out but stopped when she heard some children giggling. She couldn’t see anyone from where she was sitting. She got out and peeked into a corner behind the tree. A bunch of 5 kids with tattered clothes were sitting on the grass sharing a packet of corn. She couldn’t help but notice their smiles. Pure. Innocent. Full of love.
Their harsh life conditions hadn’t taken this away from them. She took a step back and looked around her. The marketplace. It had taught her where to find the latest fashion clothes, the most reasonable priced food items, the most effective way to bargain, the best deals at restaurants but today it taught her that all this never mattered. Life had been cruel to her at times by disappointing her whenever she’d started settling in this world. That’s what it was supposed to do right? Jolt you awake.
These kids.How had life treated them? How had they responded?
Content.
She realized she still had the empty packet in her hands.She wiped her tears away. What a wonderful year it was going to be she thought to herself as she headed back to the corn vendor to get 5 more packets.

The truth is when we’re young we see this world as a playground and we just want to have fun. And my early memories,living in London I was raised by my mum and my oldest sister. It was us three in the household. My dad left us when I was 4 years old. I was the youngest and the only man in the house. We never had much money. My mum was always broke. She couldn’t afford to buy me new clothes,nike trainers and things that I liked to have. This used to make me upset. I remember my mum used to send me to the shop to go and get some food for dinner. And when I used to go to this shop,she wrote a note and on that note,my mother said,” Please give my son these things and I will pay you next week when I get paid.” So she didn’t give me any money. Indians and Pakistanis have a lot of shops there. So I remember I went into the shop of a Indian shopkeeper,being 10 or 11 years old as my mum was too embarrassed so she sent me. I walked into this shop and I was shy.I waited till it was empty because I didn’t want anyone to see that I was asking for this food with no money. I walked over to the shopkeeper and gave him the note and the things on the table. He looked at me and read the note,”Go just take it but tell your mum next time I won’t do it.”
I was really upset. I wanted to throw the things on the floor and say “You keep it!” But if I’d went home and told my mum,she would have sent me back and said we need those things. I wondered why are we so broke? If I had money,everything would be okay. This was in my mind that people with the most money lived the happiest lives .I used to go in my room as a teenager and watch this channel called MTV. They show you the music videos. These rappers from America introduced me to a world that I’d never seen before. They had all these fast cars and jewellery on .I thought to myself that I want to live like that. I’m only 14. That life looked amazing to my eyes. These people became my role models. My teacher at school drove a car that looked like it was going to break down any minute. His life looked boring. Why am I going to listen to my school teacher? My mum at home would tell me to be good. My mum didn’t seem like she had the greatest life. I didn’t listen to her. I wanted to be like that guy on the TV. Those were my superstars. In my community there were criminals. I resorted to crime and the money that I was making from this crime I started building studios so that I could rap. I was becoming a rapper and by 17 or 18,I had a mercedes car, a motorbike and a rolex watch. The only thing is when I went to sleep every night,I felt this emptiness inside me.It wasn’t bringing the happiness that I thought it was going to bring. I didn’t feel content.
I started asking myself questions. I don’t understand this life. It’s like we’re just born and we die. It doesn’t make sense to me. Now that I’ve got money I’m thinking what next?
I remember one day I was in a studio. As youngsters we’re listening to music,playing computer games and smoking. A guy comes into the room. He was a muslim. He stopped us and said,”What is your purpose in life?”
I sat there and thought about it and this was the changing point in my life.
“You have come from a Creator. You are here to impress that Creator because after you die you are going to return to that Creator. He’s going to judge you for everything you’ve done. You’re going to be accountable. There are angels writing everything down. What you do in public,what you do in secret. You’re either going to be a winner or a loser on that Day. I started thinking about the things I do. I believed in this God. I didn’t need no dawah to tell me there was a God. I just looked at my own human body and I knew there must be a God. I became a Muslim when I was 19 years old Alhamdulillah. I stopped rapping. I went to Egypt. I was learning Quran,Arabic. One day in the Masjid in London,they said to me you can relate to the youth. “Can you do a rap for us?” I looked at the Imam,” You used to tell me music’s haram and now you’re asking me to rap in the mosque?”
“Do it with no music”,they said. I told my story.

I tried to transcribe his talk that he gave in the Twins of Faith Conference. May Allah forgive me for any mistakes and flawed intentions.
Any good that comes out of this is from His Mercy. The shortcomings are mine alone.

As soon as a child is born hopes, desires, and aspirations for a bright future fill the parents’ minds and hearts, but sometimes, these lovely dreams are shattered before they even begin

Today more than a hundred pure souls left this cruel world as they were too beautiful for this earth.

Why was your child taken from you?

It is one of the greatest tests in life, but it also entitles you to greater rewards from Allah (glorified and exalted be He), and cleanses your sins. The greater the hardship you must endure, the more Allah (glorified and exalted be He) wants to raise your ranks in the hereafter.

Narrated by Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with them):

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allah with no sin on them.”
(At-Tirmidhi, Number Volume 4, Book 10, Number 2399)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number 545)

Narrated by Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with them):

“If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number ,548

How do you begin to cope?

There is nothing better than facing this test with patience for the short time that you are in this world; doing so will help ensure that you enjoy the sweet rewards forever, in Jannah. It is essential to keep in mind that Allah (glorified and exalted be He) has a good reason for everything that happens. We MUST believe that Allah (glorified and exalted be He) is the best of all planners, and therefore there is nothing we can do or redo, nor is there any amount of guilt we can feel that can change what has passed.

“No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah’s decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere it will never come your way but if it is yours by destiny from you it cannot flee.”
Umar Ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them)

However, when we lose someone extremely precious to us it is only natural to wish that they could be back; of all the circumstances in life that cause separation, death is the greatest test, severely testing one’s faith in the ultimate qadr of Allah. But don’t allow this to prevent you from being of the patient ones who say “Alhamdullilah,” and appreciate that you were blessed to have this child in your life for a period of time, even if it was a short while. You can now hold onto that gift of love in your heart for all times. Your children were only a loan to you and we always have to be ready to give back whatever gifts Allah (glorified and exalted be He) blesses us with in hope of greater rewards. You must also appreciate that there is an even greater gift than what has just been said; knowing that your children are in Jannah, the best of places, and that they will NEVER suffer any hardship. You have been spared the grief of wondering what torment they are suffering in the grave, and the anxiety of wondering whether or not you will be reunited in Jannah. Instead, you can allow a feeling of peace and relief to penetrate your hearts with the knowledge that your precious children are in Paradise.

How do you handle this pain?

Now, how do you attain this seemingly impossible task of attaining peace in your hearts, given what you have just gone through and continue to go through? Through PATIENCE. Patience is one of the greatest attributes a person can acquire and Allah (glorified and exalted be He) is with those who endure their trials in life with patience. Even better, is that the reward for patience is Paradise!

If one is patient in the manner described by Allah (glorified and exalted be He),

“Who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return’.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:156)

Allah (glorified and exalted be He) promises them:

His Blessings: The patient person is blessed by Allah (glorified and exalted be He)
His Mercy: When Allah (glorified and exalted be He) bestows his mercy upon someone, He will allow such a person to enter Paradise with His mercy
His Guidance: Allah (glorified and exalted be He) will guide his life in the right path until meeting Him on the Day of Judgement
“Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from the Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the (rightly) guided.”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:157)

Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with them):

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“When a person’s child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They reply in the affirmative. Thereupon he asks, ‘What has My slave said?’ They say: ‘He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be returned).’ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Jannah and name it Bait-ul-Hamd (the House of Praise)’.”
(At-Tirmidhi, Number 1736)

How blessed are your children to have been able to by-pass all this adversity. Your children felt no pain or suffering when dying; they did not ‘taste’ death as many others have experienced or will have to experience. The Quran informs us that the extraction and pulling out of the soul from the flesh is very gentle on the innocent believer, and he or she will not feel any pain. Since your children were innocent and pure, be assured that dying was a painless experience for them.

Will you ever see your child again?

Not only has your child been selected for this free, one way entry into Jannah, but massive rewards are in store for the parents who suffer the pain of this separation, and bear it with patience. Such parents are promised intercession on the Day of Judgment as a compensation for such a great loss. These parents will have protection, a fortress, and shield from the painful torment and great penalty of the hereafter, which no human can ever escape, nor can anyone be strong enough to tolerate. Not only will you have such an amazing protection, but it will be from your own child! Those entering Jannah will be reunited therein and will never have to suffer separation again. Hence we can conclude then, that both child and parent are the WINNERS in such a case. So do not be deceived into believing that your child is gone forever.

Narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’oud (may Allah be pleased with them):

“The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Who do you reckon to be the childless among you?’ They said, ‘They are those who do not have any children. ‘No,’ he said, ‘The childless are those who have not sent any of their children ahead’ (i.e. none of their children have died).”
Al-Buhkari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Book 8, Number 12

Many people become proud as a result of their children, while for some, their life’s biggest ambition is to show off their wealth and children; since children are one of the most highly prized possessions in this dunya, they often become a cause for pride, arrogance and competition between people. On top of that, there is no way of knowing for certain that all your efforts that you are directing towards your children will get you reunited in Jannah.

On the Day of Judgement, it will be every man for himself, as even a mother will drop the child in her womb, SubhanAllah! On that day, the fear will be so great that the love a mother feels for her child will cease to exist, as the objects of our desires will no longer hold ANY significance to us. Wealth and children will hold no value, and parental emotions will lose all meaning.

At this time, the only people who have children are those that precede their parents to Jannah, since those who have a child in Jannah will see their child welcome them on that day with water to quench their thirst. For 50,000 years (the amount of time the Day of Judgment will last), Alhamdullilah, your children will come and comfort you when you need it the most. In their hands, lie the key to the most important door you will ever go through – the door to Jannah. This is the reward promised by your Rabb Insha Allah.

Narrated by Muslim (may Allah be pleased with them):

“Abu Hassaan said: ‘I said to Abu Hurayrah: Two of my sons have died. Can you narrate to me any hadith from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) which will console us for our loss? He said: Yes: Their little ones are the little ones (da’aamees) of Paradise. When one of them meets his father – or his parents – he takes hold of his garment – or his hand – as I am taking told of the hem of your garment, and he does not let go until Allah admits him and his father to Paradise’.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6370)

Where is your child right now?

Shortly after passing through the initial stages of grief, you begin to wonder where your child is. Many thoughts and even worries about him or her start to cross your mind such as ‘is he or she safe? Alone?’ ‘Do they miss us?’ Or, ‘What are they doing without their parents?’ Such thoughts are completely normal and our complete and beautiful way of life, Islam, answers most of our questions.

Narrated by Khalid al-’Absi:

“A son of mine died and I felt intense grief over his loss. I said, ‘Abu Hurayra, have you heard anything from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to cheer us regarding our dead?’ He replied, I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘Your children are roaming freely in the Garden’.”
Al-Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari, Book 8, Number 3

From this hadith we can be certain that your children do not face the stage of Barzakh (period of time between a person’s death and his resurrection on the Day of Judgment), but instead, enter Jannah as soon as they leave this dunya, where their souls are blessed under the care of Prophet Ibrahim [as], known as the ‘friend of Allah’, mentioned in the Quran over 60 times.

Narrated by Samura bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with them):

“Allah’s Apostle very often used to ask his companions, ‘Did anyone of you see a dream?’ So dreams would be narrated to him by those whom Allah wished to tell.

One morning the Prophet said,

‘Last night two persons came to me (in a dream) and woke me up and said to me, Proceed! I set out with them…’

He mentioned things and places that he had seen, and then he said, ‘We proceeded and we reached a garden of deep green dense vegetation, having all sorts of spring colours. In the midst of the garden there was a very tall man and I could hardly see his head because of his great height, and around him there were children in such a large number as I have never seen. I said to my companions, Who is this? They replied, Proceed! Proceed!…’

Then among the things that the two companions (angels) said to him was: ‘The tall man whom you saw in the garden, is Abraham and the children around him are those children who die with Al-Fitra (the Islamic Faith).”

The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet, “O Allah’s Apostle! What about the children of pagans?”

The Prophet replied, “And also the children of pagans.”

Sahih Bukhari, Book 87, Volume 9, Number 171

Every time you think of your children and your hearts begin to ache, remember that they are enjoying the fruits of Jannah! They are wearing the best clothes, eating the best foods, and enjoying the most perfect health. Even the smallest babies in Jannah have wet nurses to take care of them. And we can be even more reassured by the fact that Prophet Ibrahim [as] and his wife Sarah are taking the best care of them.

Narrated by Al-Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with them):

“When Ibrahim (the son of Prophet) expired, Allah’s Apostle said, ‘There is a wet-nurse for him in Paradise’.”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 215

Oh dear parents with children in Jannah, be truly happy for your child who is now being taken care of in Jannah, by people better than ourselves, in a place far better than this dunya. Rest assured that your child is much happier than you could have ever made him or her in this dunya.

But your heart feels so empty inside…

Something that will help you Insha Allah to get through this grief and separation is to replace all negative thoughts with positive ones. Below are a few examples:

You see an outfit you could have bought for your child in the shop? Close your eyes and imagine the silk and gold your child is wearing. How soft and luxurious are their garments now!

Perhaps you see their empty beds that they’ll never sleep on again? Imagine instead, the soft beds they are relaxing on with silk blankets, under the shade of beautiful fruit trees. Needing no sleep, they are simply relaxing in their beds, able to reach out to easily pick the finest fruits, softer than butter, sweeter than honey.

Maybe you feel depressed that you cannot share your food with your child. Never despair, but instead replace that thought with the image of the magnificent food they are getting to eat, whatever fruits or meat of bird their hearts desire. Close your eyes once more and imagine the drinks of ginger, Tasneem (fountain in Jannah whose drink is superior to the purest of wines), and Kafoor (spring in Jannah) in drinking cups that are crystal clear but made of gold and silver. Your children have beautiful rivers to drink from; rivers of milk in which the taste never changes, delicious rivers of wine, rivers of honey that are pure, and rivers of water that are fresh.

If you are feeling scared or apprehensive of where they are residing, wishing they could be close to you in your home, imagine the mansions they are living in, a form of luxury that we could in no way be able to provide for them in this dunya. The tents and encampments in Jannah each comprise of a tent of a concealed pearl that is 60 miles long. There are towers which have rooms above rooms, in buildings that have rivers running underneath. The buildings are made of gold and silver bricks.

The ground and the soil on which your children are running around on are made of musk and saffron, its rocks are peals and jewels that shimmer and glimmer.

The gardens in which your children are playing have trees with trunks made of gold and silver, and leaves that are softer than the softest cloth. The temperature is perfect with the trees providing shade so vast that that a rider on the fastest horse can travel in its shade for 500 years and still not be able to get across it.

Everything is indescribably perfect. Its vastness is unimaginable such that the lowest of its people will have within his kingdom, palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years.

The roof of Jannah is the Throne of the Most Merciful. Jannah reaches so far into the sky beginning as far as the shining star that is visible, reaching well beyond those far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly see

How do you move forward in life without your child?

Try to forget the worldly dreams you had of your child, and replace them with those of Jannah. Think of them in “Heaven’s” hotel where their care takers are Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his wife Sarah. The day when you are reunited with your child will be the toughest day; it is a day everyone fears but on that day you can expect some relief. When people have no one to grasp for help, we can look forward to your child waiting at the gates of Jannah with that desired water.

Remember the good moments you enjoyed, but be even more thankful that they are in a place where they can rejoice, and dream of them with images of Jannah!!!

You are never alone

May Allah (glorified and exalted be He) bless you with patience and forbearance. May He bestow His guidance on you throughout this great test you are facing, and may He give you something far better in return. Whatever you are feeling or thinking, turn to Allah with open hands and an open heart, for it is only through Him that you can attain serenity, and it is only via His leave that you will attain guidance Insha Allah. And Never forget that through sadness and grief, happiness and peace, He will never burden your soul for more than you can bear.

The clouds of fear drift apart,
Her warm eyes mellow the cold wind,
The corners of her face turn up,
She beams with grace,
Walks towards the open window,
Looks out into the distance
Her heart says alhamdulillah
She closes her eyes and exhales.

She opens her eyes and sits up,
Wipes the last hanging teardrop,
Her heart is at peace,
The ground that she’d just done Sajdah upon,
Would bear witness to the duas,
That were heard by her Lord,
And had always connected them both

I often ask myself why some people could easily see the wisdom and beauty in a given situation, while others (okay… me) could only see the wisdom a long… long… long… time after the situation has taken place.

For example when we don’t get into our dream university or don’t get some specific wish granted,we do what any silly immature person would do.

We totally feel that Allah has abandoned us and so,

We abandon Allah.
We feel angry and cheated, and run as far away in the opposite direction as we can.

We have no idea where He plans to send us and maybe our lives would drastically change for the better if only we trust Him.

He has been sending me guidance all the while, but it was I who had veils myself from receiving it by giving attention onto my negative thoughts instead.

We are hasty people and think that Allah isn’t there for us during trials.Blessings come with tests!

Why do we give up soon?

All because we are too caught up in our own narrative — the selfish, anxious thoughts of self-victimisation in our heads— that we are veiled from seeing and understanding His narrative!

In essence, I realised that I am my own barrier to Allah. I am the one that chooses not to see Him.

I am my own veil!
Subhanallah…

We say “La illaha ilaAllah”, there is no God but Allah, but the truth is many amongst us unknowingly make our selves, our nafs, our god. And in doing so, we veil ourselves from Him. And in doing so, we voluntarily withdraw ourselves from His Mercy. And in that, He makes us “deaf, dumb, and blind – so they will not return”.

I must acknowledge that to remove the “I” from the self is perhaps the hardest thing to ever achieve in this life. It’s an ongoing process, an ongoing struggle, the bigger jihad that resides within each and everyone of us.

In fact However, just because it’s hard and seemingly impossible does not mean that we don’t try.

And we try by taking small steps towards Him, away from our selves.

We try by telling ourselves to look for the wisdom in every situation.

We try by telling ourselves “Alhamdulillah.”

Alhamdulillah for all things.

Every single moment is the unraveling of a complete, beautiful story that Allah swt has written for us, one that is meant to incite a sense of heightened consciousness, awe, amazement and yes… gratitude.

Jazakillahu sister Fadhilah for enlightening me on this much needed topic.

Any good that comes out of this is due to Allah.The mistakes are mine.

So on the day of our flight back to Pakistan,I had to run to the mall with my cousins to get a few last minute things and something to eat before leaving for the airport.

When I entered, I saw that a crowd had gathered and there were flashes of camera with excited women talking loudly.

I found out that Sarah Jessica Parker had launched her Fall-Winter 2014 line for Nordstrom.

The shoes and accessories cost between $355 to $695.She was sitting there on a desk and there was a big line of ladies waiting to get their newly bought shoes signed by her. Not to mention the bodyguards roaming in that area.

I was appalled.A signature? A stupid signature on the sole of their shoes?That’s what they were going crazy for?

I just stood there and tried to make sense of what I saw.

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.(18:28)

Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on an ordained way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.(45:18)

But if they do not respond to you – then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah ? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.(28:50)

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a lizard, you would follow them.’ We said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?’ He said, ‘Whom else?’

What has happened to us? We all remember how the girls swarmed Adam Saleh in London.

Do you realise what the issue is?It’s not about wearing too much makeup, listening to music, or wearing a scarf with a fringe hanging out. It’s not about the exterior, the superficial.

It’s about conduct. Dignity. Self-respect.

Today, in our haste to become trendy, in our eagerness to fit in and because of our fear of seeming judgmental, we sit back and watch our younger children behaving like a bunch of depraved lunatics.

Is it a lack of role models? Is it just the fact that 2014 has posed too many challenges and temptations? Is it globalisation and the rise of social media?

Sitting far away from Gaza,I can’t even imagine the atrocities being inflicted upon the Palestinians by the Israeli soldiers.I’ve always thought to myself losing one’s life is a painful process but seeing your loved ones being killed mercilessly in front of you,how does one come of out that trauma?

We’ve seen so many pictures and videos of brutally murdered children and injured helpless souls being rejected at the Egyptian borders.Just imagine what they go through when they finally make it there considering it a glimmer of hope and the guards shut the gates at them. Palestinians try to escape Israeli shelling, but exit is limited to the severely wounded and Egyptian passport holders.

There are a lot of people to blame.The Muslim leaders are quiet.The media is biased.But what do we do?

Spreading the facts through social media,boycotting their goods,signing petitions are some of the options available.

What we don’t remember is that Dua is the biggest weapon of the believer.

Look at what the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) says:

“Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Imam al-Ghazali gives some advice on how should we be with Allah al-Mujeeb. He states that we first should be responsive to Allah (swt) in His commandments. We all sin and make mistakes, but the point is to strive to do the best we can. Secondly, it is important to respond to the servants of Allah, by assisting people if we are able, and by being kind if we are not able.

What if we didn’t have this option of making dua to our Creator? What if we couldn’t shed tears and unload our burdens in front of Allah SWT?

Would our hearts have survived?

Let’s increase our good deeds,try to bring more ikhlas in our worship and improve our practice of the Deen that the people of Gaza are sacrificing everything for.And make dua for them.Make yourself cry if your eyes have hardened like rocks.

May Allah accept the shuhada and grant them beautiful palaces in Jannah.May He help us become worthy of being their brothers and sisters in Islam by not ignoring their pleas or closing our eyes to what we’re seeing on Internet and helping them in any way possible.

When you make dua,remember Who you’re making dua to.You won’t give up then.

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

To the people of Gaza,

I know we’ve failed you.Our eyes have forgotten to shed tears.Our hands are shackled by our own fears and wahn(love of this world).
We’re watching your loved ones being taken away from you and still not appreciating the fact that we don’t wake up everyday to the sound of explosions and rockets being fired.
We sleep in peace forgetting that every night is a reminder of our death and every morning is a wake-up call for us to prepare for the Day of Resurrection.
You see,it’s not you I worry about.Allah SWT tests the people He loves.In the month of Ramadan,He is testing your faith and I can see why He chose you people.You people of Palestine are not like us.You all are exchanging your lives for the price of Paradise.I see pictures and videos of people showing the utmost level of patience and optimism.
A test is a blessing if it’s getting one closer to Allah SWT.And His Special Rahmah will shade your land and its people.
Allah Tala will call everyone to account and not even the weight of a mustard seed will be left aside.The world may turn blind to the suffering and oppression that you’re going through but Al Lateef is watching.
It’s the persecutors who should be worried.The punishment in the Akhirah is eternal.They will pay for their atrocities and murders.For taking the lives of innocent children and women unjustly.
You people of Gaza,when I see you hold fast to your Deen and fight back with all that you’ve got,I look at myself and the luxuries lying around.
Life is hard.That is what we all say.But what is our test compared to yours?
The most worrying part is that you all are prepared to die for His sake.You all wake up everyday thinking today could be your last day.We’ve forgotten this.We’ve left the Quran.The only book of reminders.

And the death of the heart before the body is a more scary thing.It’s something that isn’t realized so easily.

And remember when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things – that you might be grateful.(8:26)

With the start of ground invasion by the Israeli forces,all I can say is that Allah’s promise will hold true.

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,”When is the help of Allah ?” Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.(2:214)

She smiled and pushed back her tears.Nobody noticed her.The world was happy and lost in their happiness.Did anyone peak out from their illusionary bubble any more?Did anyone look back even once while walking away?Her eyes,that spoke volumes,she hid beneath her hair.

She stood up and walked outside.The air was heavy and announced rain.She looked up and took a deep breath.Solitude felt warm and welcoming in spite of the cold evening.The apathetic hearts of people stung more.
She looked up at the sky and held her hands out in dua.She didn’t need to pretend here.She felt safe being vulnerable.Her ‘Ya Allah’ was enough to get a response.
The clouds burst open and the downpour began.She sat down and got drenched.
After a while she returned back inside with heavy dripping clothes but a light and relieved heart.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

And all that kept racing through my head is that the best kind of beauty is the kind that is mostly unnoticed.p></